Local towns win suit on clear-cutting of trees on Erie Canal

Friday

The towns of Pittsford, Perinton and Brighton have won their suit on the clear-cutting of trees along the Erie Canal, according to Pittsford Town Supervisor Bill Smith.

The towns of Pittsford, Perinton and Brighton have won their suit on the clear-cutting of trees along the Erie Canal, according to Pittsford Town Supervisor Bill Smith.

According to a Facebook post by Smith, Acting State Supreme Court Justice Daniel Barrett ruled in favor of the towns in the suit, which was against the Power Authority of the State of New York and the New York State Canal Corporation.

The towns had claimed that the Power Authority and Canal Corporation had improperly classified the clear-cutting project, allowing them to avoid doing the full environmental review required by law. Justice Barrett agreed, saying that the project is indeed the type of project under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) that requires an environmental review.

An injunction against cutting trees along the Canal in Pittsford, Perinton and Brighton will continue pending the Power Authority and Canal Corporation's compliance with SEQRA.